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HMP Hydebank Wood: Solar Power

Asked by Jim ShannonDemocratic Unionist PartyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 13 January 2025UIN 21984

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with his Northern Irish counterpart on the new solar farm installed at Hydebank Prison.

Answered by Michael Shanks

DESNZ officials meet regularly with their counterparts in Northern Ireland to discuss matters relating to renewables, including solar. Solar energy is at the heart of our Clean Energy mission and solar farms, alongside rooftop installations, will play an important part in helping to decarbonise the electricity grid by 2030. Government is keen to lead by example in decarbonising its estate and as set out in the Clean Power Action plan, published in December 2024, Great British Energy will also promote renewables on public estates, unlocking additional scope for generation capacity on government-owned land. Great British Energy will seek to work with government landowners who will host generation assets and provide power directly to public buildings, in addition to connecting into the grid.

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